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Arpaio was found guilty of criminal contempt last month for disregarding a court order in a racial profiling case. His sentencing was scheduled for October 5.

"Not only did (Arpaio) abdicate responsibility, he announced to the world and to his subordinates that he was going to continue business as usual no matter who said otherwise," wrote U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton in the July 31 order.

Trump indicated he would pardon Arpaio at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday: "I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy."

"I'll make a prediction," Trump said, adding, "I think he's going to be just fine."However, civil rights groups have pushed back against the possibility of Arpaio's pardon.

After Trump's comments at the Phoenix rally, the ACLU tweeted: "President Trump should not pardon Joe Arpaio. #PhoenixRally #noarpaiopardon," accompanied with a graphic that reads, "No, President Trump. Arpaio was not 'just doing his job.' He was violating the Constitution and discriminating against Latinos."

Arpaio, who has called himself "America's toughest sheriff," was an early Trump supporter, but his stance on illegal immigration was what had earned him national recognition.

Arpaio, who was booted from office last year, previously said instances in which he was accused of misconduct aren't relevant to the discussion of his possible pardon.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said the presidential pardon of the metro area's former sheriff "is a slap in the face to the people of Maricopa County."

He said it's especially a slap in the face of the Latino community and Arpaio "victimized as he systematically and illegally violated their civil rights."

In a statement, Stanton says Arpaio received "a fair trial and a justifiable conviction" and there's nothing Trump can do "to change that awful legacy and the stain he has left on our community."

Stanton said it's not a proud day for Phoenix and "the city is moving on and moving forward from the divisiveness that defined the Arpaio era."

The White House noted Arpaio's time as a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent and his "selfless public service" connected with the Korean War.